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Wilmette, IL Real Estate News

By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
June Market Stats for Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth and Glencoe   There must have been a fire sale event in Wilmette in June - almost twice as many houses sold than in the previous month of May.  Winnetka saw an increase of 54% in sales, Northfield increased sales by 200% (2 in May, 10 in June.)  Glencoe was the only village that saw a decrease in total sales, from 13 in May to 9 in June. However, Wilmette recorded 52 closed sales of single family residences in June - a huge increase from 27 in May.  Winnetka - 28 closed sales      Average List Price = $1,587,392      Average Sell Price = $1,287,940      List to Sell Ratio = 81% Wilmette - 52 closed sales      Average List Price = $936,365      Average Sell Price = $814,875      List to Sell Ratio = 87% Kenilworth - 10 closed sales    ...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Wilmette Preservation Awards The Village of Wilmette has announced that residents can participate in nominations for historic preservation awards.  Nominations can include single residences, as well as commercial buildings, public buildings, religious structures, gardens, and landscapes. Residents may nominate any property in Wilmette, or their own, in the following categories: STEWARDSHIP - available to those who have owned their properties (or gardens) in Wilmette for more than five years and have shown sensitive restoration including the use of traditional materials for repairs RESTORATION - this category recognizes restoration of home, building or garden to its historic state.  It can be specifically for just one part of the home (such as a porch) or wing, or ornamentation.   It als...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Andrea McArdle Sings at the Wilmette Theater Andrea McArdle shot to fame in 1977 portraying Annie in the Broadway musical hit "Annie." She went on to become a seasoned Broadway veteran appearing in Les Miserables, Evita, Annie Get Your Gun, Meet Me in St. Louis, Peter Pan, and many others. Andrea will be singing this Sunday, May 16 at 2:30 at the Wilmette Theatre located at 1122 Central St. in Wilmette.  Tickets are $48.50 and can be purchased online or by calling Nili Yelin at 847-251-7424.      
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By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
Spring has finally sprung on Chicago’s North Shore. The sun is out. It’s warm (for Chicago). Trees are in bloom. Buyer activity has increased dramatically.  But it’s still a buyer’s market and there are lots of houses to choose from. What’s a seller to do? Right now you have a narrow window of opportunity to get a leg up on your competition when it comes to curb appeal. Put planters full of bright blooms on either side of your front door to welcome prospective buyers. If you have beds in front of your house, add some flowering annuals.   Since the weather will be “iffy” for a while yet, most people (including the home sellers you are competing with) don’t get serious about their yards until mid to late May. This is especially true when it comes to planting flowers, since there’s still a...
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By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
There isn’t anything our three labs love better than the dog beach, so when we mentioned the possibility of going for our first outing of the spring, we nearly had a riot on our hands. The dogs go berserk when we say the words “dog beach”, so now we use “DB” as our code word. Of course, now they’ve figured that one out too, so I guess we’ll have to start saying it in Spanish or something. So, once we got them calmed down enough to actually get them into the car, we headed down to Gillson Park. With their noses out the window, they can tell when we’re getting close and they start squealing and yelping. Read the rest of Dog Beach
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By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
This past Sunday was a beautiful spring day here in Wilmette and the open houses were hopping. I held two houses open and the one that is listed for $690,000 had a lot of interest from buyers looking to cash in on the tax credit before the April 30 deadline. Most of them were young families from the city who were looking to make the big move to the suburbs. And several of them mentioned that they were working with a city agent (the same one who had listed or sold their city home) to help them buy their dream home in the suburbs. Now, I just don’t get that. Whatever agent you use is going to get the same commission. The question is, which one will really earn it? And the home that you are about to purchase is possibly the biggest and most important investment you will make in your life. ...
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By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
Hallelujah! Things are looking up for the Wilmette real estate market and the news is positive across all the key measures. Wilmette Home Sales Sales of single family homes (including houses, condos and town homes) were up significantly in March, both vs. February (+65%) and vs. March of last year (+87%). Okay, so last March the market was dead. But still, this is very positive news. Most of the action continues to be below $900,000, but we are seeing more sales in higher price points. 31% of the sales were above $900,000 this year vs. 20% last year. Wilmette Home Prices Here’s something we haven’t seen in a while. Median and average home prices were UP, both vs. last month and last year. The median sales price in March was $655,000, up almost 30% from $505,000 in March 2009 and up 7.4%...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Claudia McLaughlin (CMFTO)Helps You Stage, Organize, and Design Your HomeUpdated 2023I met Claudia McLaughlin (CMFTO) because I sell real estate in Winnetka and the North Shore and she assists sellers who need help getting their homes ready for the market. Claudia's specialty is answering the question, "What do I do with all my stuff?"  When a home has been lived in for a long time and personal possessions are overwhelming, it's a relief to have someone who knows how to handle it professionally and with grace.CMFTO's brochure states that they: will edit and organize a home before rightsizing maximize the salability of a home by organizing and staging it help coordinate the house move assist in fully installing furnishings and home accessories in the new property Many people, particularl...
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By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
My, how things have changed. A lot of those things that were all the rage just a few short years ago have fallen out of favor, thanks to the convergence of three major trends: the recession, the green movement and the aging of the baby boomers (and coming of age of the echo boomers).  Like Hummers, McMansions are now being shunned by many as crass and wasteful. Even the ubiquitous granite counter tops are losing their cache in favor of other materials like quartz, soapstone, slate and onyx. Here’s my run-down of what’s hot and what’s not in housing and home design today: Read the rest of What's Hot and What's Not
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By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
I love the way this house looks against the blue sky (something we haven’t seen much around here for awhile). If you don’t recognize it, it’s on Elmwood Avenue in the Cage. I drive by it often and finally stopped to take a picture today.This beautiful example of Victorian Italianate architecture was built in 1873,  and is one of the oldest homes in Wilmette. It was built by Horace and Edwin Drury for Asahel Gage, son of John Gage, who was one of the early movers and shakers in Wilmette. John Gage bought two tracts of land in the area that is now Wilmette: one was part of the Ouilmette Reservation (land given to Archange Ouilmette in 1829 as part of the Treaty of Prairie du Chien) and the other was in the area between Wilmette and Kenilworth. Later, after the Chicago fire (1871), Read th...
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By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
The North Shore housing market looks a whole lot better in 2010 than it did at this time last year. Driven by low interest rates, the home buyer tax credit, plentiful supply of homes to choose from and attractive prices, buyers have returned to the market. Prices are still soft but the rate of decline has slowed. Housing sales on Chicago’s North Shore increased 56% in the first quarter of 2010 vs. the same period last year. All towns had healthy increases except for Northfield which had one less sale this year than last. The big winner in percentage terms was Kenilworth, which had nine sales this year vs. one last year. Read the rest of North Shore Chicago Market Update            
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
UPDATED 2022 NO MAN'S LAND IN WILMETTE ILNo Man's Land in Wilmette, IL - it's an appropriate name for an area that was left largely undeveloped until the 1960s.  No Man's Land is a strip of land along the lakefront between 10th. St. and Westerfield Drive in Wilmette..  It was originally an unincorporated area, and thus the name, No Man's Land. After much debate, it was annexed by Wilmette in 1942. Around 1926 plans were drawn up for a Spanish/Moorish style shopping arcade which included a hotel, restaurants, clubs, the Miralago Ballroom, the Teatro del Lago, apartments, and a 50-car garage.  The project was designed by Edwin H. Clark and opened in 1928.   Most of the area was destroyed during a fire in 1932 when neighboring towns refused to assist in the unincorporated area (hope that s...
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By Anne West, Your Guide to Real Estate on Chicago's North Shore
(Coldwell Banker)
I know what you’re thinking. Gas is gas, right? But this gas is different. Well, maybe not the gas, but the gas station. I’ve never been much of a loyalist when it comes to gas. It’s a convenience thing for me. I get gas wherever I happen to be when my car is on empty. But a while back I came out of my house one cold morning and my battery was dead. Triple A gave me a jump but told me the battery was basically shot and I should get a new one ASAP. I was already running late that day so I went down the hill to Forrest’s Marathon Station (now owned by Duxler Complete Auto Care) at 1201 Green Bay Road in Wilmette to see if they could help me. I had no sooner settled in with my newspaper and complimentary cup of coffee when they told me I was all set. The new battery was already installed. ...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Wilmette to Begin New Solid Waste and Recycling Program - Wilmette is instituting a new program that will begin on March 29 with Veolia Environmental Services.  This will include waste, recycling and landscaping refuse. Essentially, Wilmette residents will be given new "toters," or plastic containers, which must be taken to the curb or, if you have an alley, can be left there.  There will be two toters - one for refuse and one for recycling which are both free of charge.  More than 17,000 toters will be delivered to residents beginning on March 22.  The new collection program will be automated which means that drivers will not have leave their trucks to collect waste. One of the main changes is that Wilmette residents who currently have free back door pick up will now roll their toters ...
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By Haris Dedic, Glenview Real Estate - Chicago North Shore
(Villager Realty 847-878-2588)
Every time that I have visitors from out of town, I have to show them Baha'i Temple located on Chicago's North Shore in Wilmette. The architecture is absolutely stunning. You would think, because it is a religious building that you would not be welcome unless you were a member. There is a visitor center on the bottom level.  There are several of these in the world and this is the only one, right here in our backyard, in the USA. The auditorium is open every day of the year from 7am until 10pmVisitors Center:10 am to 5 pm  October 1 - April 3010 am to 8 pm. May 1 - September 30 Parking is free and there is no donation box at the premises.  They only accept donations from members. There are 48 comments on Yelp with an average 5 star rating. Here are a few words from the reviews around the...
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By Margaret Goss, Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate
(@Properties)
Big Views . . . (from every room!) Tiny Price . . .   ($188,500!) Have you dreamed of waking up in the morning to beautiful, sunny lake views?  Or what about windy roiling waters?  Maybe deep dark clouds with a promise of rain?       How about 1 level living?  Not feeling like swimming in the lake?  Go ahead and try the heated pool or soak yourself in the hot tub.       For the unimaginable price of $188,000 you can have a premier two-bedroom, two-bath unit at the prestigious 1630 Sheridan Road building.  While the lake sits on one side, the other side offers Plaza del Lago shopping including dining, grocery shopping, Crate and Barrel, Starbucks, gift stores, clothing stores, and summer art shows.            Really . . . what are you waiting for?   View Larger Map
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I gave this presentation to the Wilmette, IL, Chamber of Commerce at the beginning of the Summer and have had several retailers ask for in-store consultations.  Just proves that "staging" is not only beneficial to your home, but any place where you hope to attract "buyers!"  Enjoy!   Create a Warm, Inviting and Profitable Retail Space: A Presentation for the Wilmette, IL, Chamber of Commerce Think slow sales at your retail store are due to the recession?  THINK AGAIN! It's true that most retailers are seeing slower sales in this tough economy, however, knowing how to increase your appeal, could be just the secret to coming out ahead.  Understanding the psychology behind a buyer's thoughts is the key to drawing customers in, keeping them engaged, and making sure they return. Step One:  T...
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By Marla Schneider, Move with Marla
(The Marla Schneider Team)
President Obama promised some creative approached to fixing the economy.  His latest budget recommendation to reduce the mortgage interest deduction for high income taxpayers has produced many arguments on both sides.  The approach may be creative, but it is also very controversial. This year, the mortgage-interest deduction for owner-occupied homes is estimated to cost the government $100 billion. This makes it the largest government for subsidy for housing and one of the most expensive tax deductions.  The new budget hopes to raise over $318 billion over the next decade by lowering the itemized tax deductions for the wealthy, which includes interest paid on home mortgages. Those currently paying income taxes at the 33 % and 35 % rates would only be able to claim deductions at the 28 %...
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By Marla Schneider, Move with Marla
(The Marla Schneider Team)
To help up to 9 million borrowers stay in their homes, the Obama administration has launched a "Making Home Affordable" program. This program is designed to keep struggling borrowers in their homes through refinanced mortgages or loans that are modified to lower monthly payments. To qualify for the modification program, which will run through 2012, you must provide your most recent tax return, two pay stubs, and "affidavit of hardship."  Your loan can only be modified once, and this is only for loans made on or before January 1, 2009. These mortgages are for single-family properties worth up to $729,750 (depending on the area.) Lenders could reduce the interest rate as low as 2 percent over five years, with the rate rising to 5 percent until the loan is paid off. The refinance program i...
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By Marla Schneider, Move with Marla
(The Marla Schneider Team)
What will the Stimulus Bill mean for Cook county residents? The $787 billion stimulus package signed by the President recently is not only going to put more money in our pockets by lowering our taxes, it will rebuild our highways, modernize schools, rebuild main streets, update O'Hare, but most importantly put blue- and white-collar people back to work.  Like all American city mayors, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago has a wish list - $700 million worth that is 32 pages long. Though final disbursement figures won't be released until March, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and other local public-transit operators will hopefully get a bit under $400 million for new capital projects. Chicago-O'Hare Airport should receive $1.1 billion for the expansion project. Chicago will also re...
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